Wednesday, May 16, 2012

This is how the 99% works!

I painted my wicker furniture the other day and cleaned some of the pool toys


My  project this morning:  I waited a while before tackling this project.   This was the first little area I put in the yard here... many moons ago.  It was buried under dirt and leaves and there was at least a half a inch of green on the picnic table.  It sits under the old Oak Tree.


A friend got these lounge chairs for me at least 20 years ago.  He got them at Walmart for 10 bucks a piece.  It was the end of the summer.  They cleaned up pretty well.


These umbrellas have seen better days..but they'll still keep the sun off ya.  One was bent up last year by the wind when roomy didn't put it up.  I couldn't get it to stand up straight because the metal at the bottom was bent.  Well I got out my trusty recipicating saw and cut off some of the bottom.  I  had bought a new all purpose blade.  That worked.  I also spray painted the white base to the other umbrella with some Rustoleum paint.  Good for another year.


Those are a few of my potted veggies..the ones I moved here yesterday. I hope they like their new home.


This was an herb garden I put in many years ago.  I used one of those little forms that you pour cement in to make a designed area.  I made the mistake of planting some garlic chives.  Never do this.  I unburied this area  also this morning.  Now I have to try to get rid of those garlic chives.


This is how you will look after doing all of the above.

50 shades of green..story to follow in comments


Before


After

162 comments:

Carol said...

TW looked at the pics and she didn't recognized some of the stuff. It was very buried. This is not the finished project..it's still a work in progress.

Carol said...

Before I started I had to get my pressure washer working. That was what scared me. It hasn't been started in two years. Never a good thing. I put some fresh gas in and pulled..nada. I couldn't figure out which little pic indicated it was on so I drove to the camp for the direction book.

I found which direction was on and pulled several times again..nada. I went to my shop and found some old carburetor cleaner. I took off the air filter and sprayed a little of that toward the carb...varooom...it started. Put the air filter back on and away I went.

I was really impressed with myself this morning. I got a lot done and I was moving in slow motion so I would hurt anything..on me. I did skin up one finger but it was a small price to pay.

Carol said...

One thing that is nice is that if you get dirty..you can take off your clothes outside..unless there is a plane flying over. Even if there is..who could focus?

Carol said...

And Coreen..I shop in Walmart on my phone. I'll talk to TW and she's giving me ideas on what to cook. We both love to cook and eat. I set my phone on my container of organic lettuce..have it on speaker and chat while I shop. Some may think I'm schizophrenic but at my age..I don't care what people think.

From what I've seen around here..I'm the last to have the latest technology.

Georgia said...

You did a great job sprucing up the place.I'm impressed, it looks nice.

Georgia said...

3 hrs. to go......

Georgia said...

They are singing 3 songs each, one the judges choose for them, one that Jimmie picks for them, and then one of their own choice...

Georgia said...

Can't wait to see the hometown footage

jan said...

Your yard and pool area look great Carol. You are better than any man I know in doing all that stuff. I cannot do anything like that. Neither can John. If there is anything to do outside or in - I do it. I am mucho impressed with your skills.

jan said...

Georgia, me too. (hometown footage). I have told all my family and friends. Carol, I told Bill to tell his dad.

jan said...

BTW Carol - reading the book will be no sacrifice. If we could get paid just for reading, I would be a millionaire - several times over.

Coreen said...

Gee Carol, just seeing what you did is exhausting...

Looks good, but will you please
relax a little...you are on vacation, aren't you....

Carol said...

Coreen..isn't that what vacations are for?? I'm really enjoying the outside work. I can see results. I don't seem to notice them in the house and then..it doesn't last.

Carol said...

Jan..I was sitting in my Doc's office waiting for her to come in. I was writing you a comment..which was that I wanted a thorough book report on 50. I wanted it so thorough that I had to turn down the AC.

My Doc walked in and asked what ya doing. I said I was asking a friend for a book report on 50. Guess what? She's read all three books and told me a little about them. That doesn't get you off the hook though. I dusted off old Entergy.

Carol said...

Oh..my thyroid level is still low. I wasn't taking the med but when I did..it made my heart race. She said she will start with a lower dose and sneak it up. My Cholesterol was up a little but that will happen when your thyroid levels are low. I was happy it wasn't worse. My fairly good diet must be helping. I don't think that gummy worms run up a cholesterol.

Carol said...

Can you imagine what I will be able to do with a more normal thyroid level. You'll just see a streak...a limping streak..but a streak!

Carol said...

My Doc is also watching Idol and she usually doesn't watch it. She is even voting. TW...did you read that. My Doc is voting so you better also! I'll haunt you.

Coreen said...

Hey do you like the beach boys...if so, right now they are performing live on QVC...selling a cd...they are on for an hour between 7-8pm eastern...

And yes they all look old, but then
again who isn't...

Coreen said...

I always liked Mike Love, he's usually the lead singer & the spokesman...

Coreen said...

And I guess they wear those baseball caps because they may lost some hair? do you think? I have a client, who I have known for many years who always wears a BB cap...he doesn't say that is why, but I think it is...

Carol said...

I still have a good bit of pressure washing to do. I still have this large deck outside my bedroom..part of the back of the house and a little bridge I built from the pool deck to my other deck. I built all that myself.

I also built a hot tub house..on top of another deck. It's behind that little herb garden. I was younger and had stronger bones back then. I used one of those Ortho books on how to do anything. I was up on the roof sawing up the plywood roof decking and almost sawed thru my electric cord. I'd have gotten a charge outta that.

My hot tub heater went out and I'm not sure if I'll get that fixed. It's a huge hot tube. Fits 7 people...not likely to have that many here to enjoy it. It was fun in the past..especially on a cold winter day...the colder the better. You could get out..even in 30 degree weather and feel warm for a while. One of my friends actually got out and jumped in the cold pool. Not me.

Carol said...

And you see..I did create a monster over the years and now I have to take care of it all. I seemed to forget that I was going to get old one day.

Carol said...

My Doc is a BIG LSU and Saint's fan. She goes to all the games. We were discussing them. She's still suffering PTSD from that last LSU game. She said she's now focused on baseball. Her teams are LSU and the Braves. I also like the Braves. TW and I lived together many moons ago and that when I became a Brave's fan. When they play your team Coreen..I'll be rooting against ya.

Coreen said...

And what to make of this, especially since I still have to have my blood test...

good cholesterol may be an overstatement

Georgia said...

HOORAY FOR CAROL..!!! Going to pull for my Braves......yes I noticed your comment about voting....I'll see what I can do so you won't haunt me...:)

Georgia said...

Hey Coreen, just prepared my salad for dinner with a softball size home grown tomato and a homegrown cucumber..the south does have it's advantages ya know? I planted Feb 29, Leap Day, just when the almanac I believe said don't plant on that day...hmmmmmmm worked for me.

Carol said...

Coreen..I think there's a lot of medical data out there that doesn't hold water. I think they often try to force relationships to push drugs. Need to worry more about our karma..less about our cholesteral.

Carol said...

And don't take iron.. and we could give blood..mild anemia seems to be a good thing.

Carol said...

IDOL!

Carol said...

Joshua kicked that Etta James song outta the park.

Carol said...

Jessica was great also.

Carol said...

Jessica is going to be some tough competition.

Carol said...

Joshua is from Westlake..pop less than 5000 but it one of our sister cities. I think the church is in Mossville a little subdivision of Westlake..probably pop is about 200.
I was in that large crowd at the end.. at the colesium.

Carol said...

Coreen..you haven't been just a little curious about Idol?

Carol said...

This has been one of the best seasons..IMHO.

Carol said...

I just washed the yard clothes I wore today to do my pressure washing. My Tide..with a little chlorox..got out all the dirt. I had to rinse them off before I could even bring them in to wash them. Now I can go out and get them dirty again tomorrow.

Carol said...

I'm starting to warm up my voting fingers even the one I skint pull starting the pressure washer. They just don't make that gas powered equipment in pink for girls.

Carol said...

After I finish voting online..I'll start voting by phone.

Georgia said...

No doubt who the next Idol will be...Joshua is unreal...I do like Phillip but Josh brings more to the table...I can see Phillip in a cozy blues bar in New Orleans.....

Carol said...

And Coreen..I love the Beach Boys. My generation music. I did a little surfing down here..very little but I had my own surf board.. a Morey-Pope true foil. It was a short board. I gave it away years ago. When I was a teen ager..I had it sitting up in my bedroom next to all my black light posters. Those were the days.

Carol said...

I didn't tell you TW that the reason I wanted you on my friend list on Facebook is because I can tell if you vote. He he he. I'm sneaky.

Georgia said...

Well how can you tell if I vote by phone? I'm gonna vote Carol, I want Josh to win....

Carol said...

Philip just wasn't into that last song. No feeling. And it was a good song choice for him..but he did nothing for it.

Carol said...

And the judges loved it..figures.

Carol said...

The voting by phone would be easier but it's always busy. You can only get about 1 in 10 calls to go thru.

I did my 50 online.

Carol said...

The phone lines are blown up..as the young people say.

Carol said...

Well..I bet I got about 50 calls to go thru but I made about 200..at least. I did my best for the kid. The closer it get to the dead line to call in the more calls that go thru.

jan said...

Well, Josh sang every song with feeling and beautifullly. We have voted. The rest is up to Louisiana and the US of A.

Carol said...

I was up late..some of it thinking about all I have to do before I return to work. I have to waste two of my vac days next week going to a jail annual conference. It has good info so I do want to attend. It's kinda late to get two more days to make up for that.

Being awake most of the night..I also kinda purused the Internet re Idol. I still see Philip getting most of the love. He's not bad but his talent isn't Idol material. I still worry that this is a "white boy" world. Both Joshua and Jessica are miles better than Philip but they are both minorities. Jessica is also a woman and that give her two strikes against her.

I voted up until time ran out. The last ten minutes of voting was when I got more of my toll free calls to go thru. Calling takes much more time to get the same number of votes in.

Carol said...

Thank you Jan and John for voting. I hope we did enough.

Carol said...

Well..I was out early this morning to get a head start. Moved my pressure washer over to the deck outside my bedroom. It was one area I dreaded cleaning. I cranked up the pressure washer..she started right up. After about 30 minutes she stopped dead.

I checked everything..everything was OK but she wouldn't start. I took off the air filter and used some more of that carburetor cleaner..nada. I was kinda worried that stuff may be lacquer with as old as it was.

I went to Auto Zone and got some starting fluid. Came home and tried that..nada. Not even a short zoom. I went back to Auto Zone and got a new spark plug. Came home..nada. I had this idea yesterday but didn't need to put it into action.

There's this guy out on the river. He is known to fix all kinds of stuff..lawnmowers..vehicles..boats.. etc. I don't know him but I wave at him when I pass. Everyone of the river is nice.

I headed over to the river to see if that guy was home. I didn't see him outside but he came out shortly after I drove in his driveway. I introduced myself and said I needed to rent him for an hour. Told him I needed some help with a pressure washer. He looked at me a little strange but got in my truck.

Now..I'm looking pretty bad..I'm the 50 shades of green. He..on the other hand.. is a good looking dude..no shirt...tan body..short shorts. He is married though and much younger..around 40.

I brought him to the house and went over what I had done. He checked things out. He cleaned out the jets in the carb. I did get close to doing that but I chickened out. He got the washer going.

I tried to give him 40 bucks but he wouldn't take it..wouldn't take anything. I delivered him back to his place. Thanked him very much. Probably a first for him..was defintely a first for me.. to go rent a stranger.

I could have made the story more interesting but..

By the time I got all that done..I'd pretty much hit the wall with my energy but I still had the job in front of me. It was already after noon. I did get er done though. Phew.

Carol said...

Oh..I added two pics.

I'm so sore and pooped.

Carol said...

I am so sorry about Donna Summer. I loved her songs. Did some dancing to those songs.

Carol said...

Hot Stuff

Love to love ya baby

Last Dance

Works hard for her money

On the Radio

Carol said...

And...Bad Girls

Carol said...

Well...Jimmy didn't have much good to say about either Joshua or Jessica. If he gives Philip a good review then I know that guy needs a hearing aid or a brain transplant.

Carol said...

I'm very hurt about these results.
The best man is out..our man..but I knew it. I knew that Philip would be in the finale. Well..it's over for me. At least Jessica made it.

This is a man's world..a white man's world.

Carol said...

Philip is representative of a good bit of the music industry today..not that great of a voice but they turn on the kiddies and they do buy the albums.

Georgia said...

Yep, we were robbed and for the first time in watching Idol for 10 yrs., I voted, for Josh, 10 times.
Maybe I'm to blame, ya think it was THAT close?

Carol said...

I made up for your voting by voting online 50 times then voting by phone until the polls closed. I gave it my best shot. After reading the Idol news and blogs last night..I did have a clue what would happen. I knew Philip was going to be in it.

Coreen said...

Sorry Carol...but if the past is an indicator, he may be better off & just as successful, not winning...

Meantime, don't you think you should rest a few days...the work will be there...you need some R&R...

TW, Carol, maybe you two should take a trip to the local casino for some diversion & maybe even some winnings...

Carol said...

Coreen..I have this work that won't do itself. I'm enjoying most of the work because I like the results and it's exercise. I need to keep moving. Tomorrow..I'm going to go to Pa's place to work on estate business. I've barely made a dent in my "to do" list.

The jail conference is being held at the big casino here. I can run in at my breaks.

Carol said...

I agree with your..just as successful..comment. Some of the winners did nothing. Joshua is multi-talented. He will go places. I have no doubt. Being the Idol could hold him back. I'm sad for him but I'm sure he can take it in stride..he's that kind of guy. He's very spiritual. I'm more sorry for his little hometown supporters. I bet they're crying.

Carol said...

Jan..are you hiding out because you are late starting on your book report assignment. That's not like you. I would like to exchange my 50 shades of green for a little gray. But if you insist on finishing up the other book first..I'll just have to wait.

jan said...

Decided to go swim tonight so taped Idol and just finished watching it. I did not get on here as I thought you might talk about it and wanted to see results. I too am disappointed but not surprised. I thought Phillip would go on so I knew it would be between Joshua and Jessica tonight. I agree that Joshua will have a career in music. He is too good. John was disappointed too.

jan said...

Carol, your power washing 40 y/o guy sounds like you are not telling us everything. I know what it is like to not be able to stop once you get going with the cleaning. It is great to see the results of your labor.

jan said...

I have not started on the new book yet. I really am into the Nazi Germany book and hate to stop it to start another one. You will just have to wait. So sorry!

jan said...

Of course, you can always buy your own book. LOL.

jan said...

I think it is so true that the white, heterosexual males are the most likely to win Idol with the current voting system.

That being said, I do think Phillip is good. He also is really good looking and appealing to the the younger women. I am just not into his type of music.

If this is a sign of next week, I think Phillip will be the next AI.

jan said...

John is over here on the other side of the couch, reading his computer and chuckling. He says the word of the day is "exhaustipated" defined as " too tired to give a "s***. "

Carol said...

I like that word Jan.

You got the entire story. That 50 shades of green was what I was wearing over my yard clothes..hair and face. I did get in 30 minutes of deck blasting before the washer quit. Being 20 years older and looking like I did..I'm surprised he even got in my truck with me. River Rats are a tough breed and aren't scared of nuttin. He said he's been out on the river for since age 12. He used to live in a houseboat..when he was young.

When I tried to give him the money he said something about river people taking care of their own. I thought of that line in Proud Mary..."People on the River are happy to give".

Carol said...

If you haven't already..you ought to read the older semi retire gynecologist review of 50 shades..on Amazon. It's cute. You'd get a kick of it Jan. It was the first review.

http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Shades-Grey-Book-Trilogy/dp/0345803485/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337316486&sr=8-1

Carol said...

One of the things I will hate..of the 2000..of having to go back to work is that I won't be able to stay up late..on purpose.. to goof around.

Coreen..that when I get to play..watch Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon... and some of the stuff I recorded thru out the day like Ellen..the View and the Talk. Sometimes I even do another chore..but only if I want to.

Carol said...

Looking over the reviews of 50..most of them are bad. They say the writing is awful. Hey..we can do that.

Carol said...

The other day..at my Dr appointment..my Doc mentioned someone's kids finding their mother's 50 book. I laughed thinking about how..when I was a kid..I found some girly magazine up in our attic.

Mom worked the entire time we were growing up. Being left alone and being a climber..I got up in the attic to explore. I found those magazines and they provided hours of entertainment. They introduced me to the concept of masturbation. One of those mags actually had instructions. I thought that was the best invention I'd even come across.

From that moment going forward..I never got upset about being locked in my room.. for not cleaning it.. again. My fantasies would probably make 50 sound pretty tame.

I also had a great imagination. Remember we had no TV..or video games or movies. You had to do all of the above in your head. I kinda feel sorry for the youngsters of today. They never learned to use their imagination and I don't think that most of them have one.

Carol said...

And..instead of listening in my classes at school..I was writing tall tales and drawing architectural plans.. for houses with streams running thru them.

School never held my interest and it showed in my grades. Like I've mentioned before..I thought that just carrying all my books home with me each day..and sleeping next to them would impart the knowledge in them by osmosis. Of course I didn't even know what osmosis meant back then. I did have a serious problem with muscle spasms as a youngster from carrying all that weight around.

Carol said...

Guess what? Eat your hearts out...I'm going to pick up homegrown tomatoes from TW and some homegrown cucs. I have a meeting in the same town she lives in. I think I'll make some gazpacho. Nuttin better than that..and I have some fresh Basil and Oregano I can use. I thought about a BLT but that wouldn't be the healthiest choice. I can do that later when I can get more toms.

Gazpacho is made several different ways. I make mine with just homegrown toms..homegrown cucs..Basil.. Oregano and salt and pepper. Let the flavors marry while it chills in the frig. It's divine if you use homegrown stuff. It will taste like it has an expensive dressing on it. Some people will also add onions or bell pepper. Not me.

I hate any salad dressing if it comes in a bottle. I can actually taste the preservatives. I will only eat dressings that I can make myself..like the Good Seasons. I can add my own EVOO and red wine vinagar. My fav right now is their Garlic herb dsg.

I decided against any hard labor this morning. I've been busy though. I do have to go to the camp to mow and I might do that this afternoon...or this weekend. I still have plenty to do here.

Carol said...

I take Maggie with me when I go to the camp. Since we don't live out there..I think that I've developed a flea problem..in the camp. That will happen when you take an animal out of a place...especially in flea territory.

I've bathed Maggie and put that Advantage on her but we just came from the camp and I found several fleas on her belly. She won't let me turn her over to look..she thinks I'm up to something. I usually am. I have to catch her when she's already laying in a position so I can check her out.

I need to set off some flea bombs out there. Maggie has been going with me to the camp twice a day. She has also been acting like something is after her lately. Now I know what it is. She hates bugs. I just retreated her with more Advantage. I hope that helps..poor baby. You have to put that stuff on several days after a bath so there can be more oil in their hair to spread the stuff. I jumped the gun last time.

Carol said...

Pool guy came over to check my salt. I had him cut down the branches of the Mimosa that were hanging over the pool and uncover it. He vacuumed the dirt that got in and had to add several inches of water. The water temp is 83 but was probably much higher before he added the water. It's swim time..well as soon as it gets to about 85 or 86. That could be tomorrow.

I didn't get my toms and cucs today because my meeting went over and I had to get to Wally World and back home for the pool guy. I guess I'll have to put off that Gazpacho..dang it. My mouth was watering for it.

Coreen..I'm starting to feel like I do need that vacation. I'm pooped. I still have a couple of legal letters that I have to write for my attorney. If I want them done right...

Carol said...

Number two pool man wanted me to set up a pool cleaning schedule and pay him ahead for the first cleaning. I asked him if he thought I looked like I was born yesterday. I told him I couldn't be sure he wouldn't be in jail again. I told him..when it's done to my satisfaction..he'll get paid. I learning. Sucker..has been my middle name in the past.

Carol said...

There's a lot of work involved in managing the farm corp. I'm starting to feel like I'm Jamie Dimon and... all his hired help. And probably better at all of the above.

Coreen said...

Please take a little rest...remember everything will still be there tomorrow...what did
Scarlett O'Hara say when she looked at Tara...'tomorrow is another day'....

We have had 2 just perfect days in a row...72 tops, slight breeze, down into the 40/50s at night...

I was talking to one of my friends with a pool earlier, she did have her's uncovered last week...she said the temp today in it was 70...it is all clear & if the sun warms it up she will start using it...she did say it had been like 58 when it was first uncovered...

And tonight we just had a little test for the generator...the electricity went out about 7 pm & in less then a minute the generator
started everything...the power failure lasted about 15 minutes & the gen. shut off & the regular power stayed on, didn't even notice the switch back other than the noise from the gen. stopped...

It may have been a car accident close by since about 1/2 hour before the lights went out, there were a lot of sirens going up the main road...my thought is that someone hit a utility pole & the UI
had to shut off the power to fix the line, since the outage was short term...but how great & reassuring it was when that generator kicked in...

Carol said...

That's great that you got to test that generator Coreen. I bet you feel much better now knowing that it will come on. Hope no one was injured in whatever caused the power outage.

Carol said...

Ask your friend what her pool temp has to be before she gets in. I like it at least 85. I doubt pools up your way ever get that warm.

Jan..what do they keep the U pool temp at? Late summer..the pool here gets up to 92 or above. That's not even refreshing.

Pool guy vacuumed but the pool water is still cloudy. It will take a little while to clear up.

Carol said...

Twin said that she heard on the news tonight that Joshua told his fans not to worry about him because he has already signed a big contract.

He said he was emotional last night..not because he lost but.. because he was so happy the other two made it thru. He's such a sweetheart.

Actually being the Idol doesn't have much meaning for me after watching the show for a while. It's usually those who never do much else with their talent..which is usually limited in the first place.

jan said...

Carol, they keep the indoor Y pool here about 83 in summer and 85 in winter. but I think the university pool is more like 77 - 79. John likes a pool temp about 72. So he says.

jan said...

Coreen , that is great news about your generator.

jan said...

Carol, I moved into a condo (renting it) in Little Rock when first moved there. There was a terrible flea problem. I didn't have a dog. They changed out carpet and it was still a problem. The manager finally got it cleared up. I was able to catch a bunch of those little critters in a jar after she told me they should all be gone.

jan said...

I guess I will have to start watching America's...talent. I will be going thru withdrawal.

jan said...

I am not wild about gazpacho. It gives me some stomach problems.

jan said...

John just read that Phillip Phillips needs kidney surgery.
His doc is advising this.

jan said...

But Phillip says he is not dropping out of the Idol competition.

Carol said...

Did the gazpacho you ate have onions or bell pepper? I don't put them in mine. I can't do raw onions. Even fried onion rings repeat on me but I cook with a lot of onions.

Carol said...

I just read the same thing about Philip. Sounds like it's a kidney stone problem because they mentioned stents.

Maybe there was a reason that the faces he made looked like he was in pain.

jan said...

I was just sent a great study on friendships among women. You can google it by typing in "UCLA study of friendships among women" It is pretty interesting.

jan said...

Phillip does not get emotional on Idol, but when they showed him in the car in the parade in his home town, he was crying and very emotional.

jan said...

I cannot remember but the last time I ate it, I had a stomach ache for several hours. Too much acid, I think.

Carol said...

I just heard the local new's report about Joshua. They also said that many people texted and called the station saying that they had lots of voting problems the other night. I told you that I tried to call in. I bet I called over 200 times and bet I barely got in 50 calls. Sometimes I'd dial 10 times for one vote to go thru. I have never tried calling before so I had no idea how it usually went. Maybe that wasn't usual. The phone lines were definitely locked up.

Carol said...

Jan..check out some of these videos on Joshua Ledet's Facebook page. They will bring tears to your eyes.

http://www.facebook.com/JLedetAI11

Carol said...

When I Googled your UCLA study on Friendship Among Women I found this:

UCLA Study On Friendship Among Women

Pretty cool. Is this what you were referring to?

Carol said...

From that article:

" ...women are such a source of strength to each other. We nurture one another. And we need to have unpressured space in which we can do the special kind of talk that women do when they're with other women. It's a very healing experience."

I'll have to agree with that! There are some things that men just can't share.

Carol said...

And....

"When the researchers looked at how well the women functioned after the death of their spouse, they found that even in the face of this biggest stressor of all, those women who had a close friend and confidante were more likely to survive the experience without any new physical impairments or permanent loss of vitality"

Carol said...

You were one of the bestest friends I've ever had. It doesn't work as well over the Internet though. I've replaced you. Now..TW..has the job. Probably don't have as much in common but we've held each other together when the shit hit the fan.

Carol said...

Men and women just don't think enough alike to have that same kind of friendship. Maybe it does rarely happen. I don't know. You guys might know.

Carol said...

Last night me and this huge horse fly went round and round. It snuck in the front door when I was taking the Magster out last night. Those babies can bite pretty fiercely. It was in my bedroom flying around when I went to bed.

I had one of those electric bug zappers but the ceiling in my room is too high to reach with that racket unless I'm standing on my bed. I did try that but was in danger of falling off so I gave up. I think I might have hit it once with a yard stick. It did finally quit flying around.

Tonight when I got into bed and set down my drink on my bedside table..that horsefly was lying on it's back..dead..right there on the table. I guess the universe wanted me to know it's a goner. It was almost big enough to put a bridle on and ride.

Carol said...

Why did God create bugs?

Carol said...

Since I got all the premium movie channels free for three months for my aggravation from Dish..I've been going thru the guide to see which movies that I might never have time to sit still to watch later. I'm recording them anyway. I used to have the movie channels but just never watched them enough to make it worth the money.

I now have free HBOs Bill Maher for three months. That's the only way I'll take him.

Carol said...

Jan..do you really believe that John likes his pool temp 72? I don't either. That might be a nice room temp but water??? Or is he into S&M?

Even at 85 or so..I have to get in easy. Sounds pretty warm but it shocks me. It's more my upper half of the body that feels shocked. The bottom half is OK.

I bet places up north never see an outside pool temp even that warm. I was up visiting big sis and her son was swimming when I was wearing a jacket outside. Kids even have more tolerance than older people.

Carol said...

If anyone has a new post..please put it up. I was just proud of what I was accomplishing. I was trying to keep motivated. I've certainly not been this motivated in the past to do all this kind of work. I'm not sure what the difference is this time. I guess it is just right time..right place. It's also right temp. I won't even want to walk to my vehicle soon. I'm not kidding.

Jan and Coreen..you cool nights in the summer would make it more tolerable. I know you get some hot days Jan..but it takes a little while for it to warm up. That's the way I found it in Seattle.

jan said...

John has been a competitive swimmer and he likes the water cold because when he swims he works hard and gets hot. He won't get into water that is above 80 degrees.

jan said...

I am a leisure swimmer so I like my water about 85 degrees.

jan said...

I don't know why we have bugs. I am sure there is an ecological reason.

Carol said...

I saw some close ups of George Zimmerman yesterday and I consider myself to be an expert on what people look like after and altercation. I see about 2 of them every day at work..sometimes more.

When someone gets their head slammed against anything hard..it usually causes the scalp to split open. Did you see any splits? When someone gets hit in the nose..both of their eyes are blackened or at least one of them. Did you see any black eyes.

There may have been a minor altercation but nothing serious. Those mild injuries that Mr Zimmerman had could also have been self inflicted.

I rest my case...for the time.

jan said...

I think the reason my sister is still alive is that she has always had women friends. I too have had women friends but not as much now. John is a little like a woman friend. We talk about everything. My sis has been a woman friend. The people I work with are friends too.

Carol, glad you and TW are good friends. You cannot replace me though. I could never replace you. We can only find new friends, not replace old ones. At any rate, that is the way I feel.

jan said...

I agree with you about those injuries Zimmerman had.

jan said...

I am going out to find some yard sales. Have not done that in a long time. I just like to poke around in other people's junk. Then I need to make a trip to Goodwill to get rid of some junk. Is there a moral in there - he he he.

Carol said...

Dang..John is tough. Those kids don't mind the cold either. It seems it would be harder on guys since they have those things that shrivel up in the cold.

Like I said..my bottom area is tougher than my chest area. The cold hits my chest and I start gasping. Now once I'm in..the water could be gradually lowered and I could take it.

I also think of those people in the polar bear club who jump into icy water. Brrrr. I'm sure it would kill me to do that.

jan said...

You are one of the best friends I have ever had Carol. It does not work as well over internet but it helps.

Carol said...

Jan..you not replaced but I just don't get enough of you.

Actually..I don't get enough of TW. I'm working on getting her out of her house. I might have to use tear gas.

Carol said...

You know how I like/need intense friendships. None of this casual stuff for me.

jan said...

I don't jump into the water when I go swimming. I get in slowly and let my body adjust slowly. When I walk in cold weather, I always make sure my chest and neck are warm. I can tolerate my legs covered less. I layer in the winter with a couple of long sleeve shirts, a hoodie with the hoodie pulled up over my head, then a down jacket and a scarf around my neck. I wear a heavy pair of sweats and shoes and one pair of socks and I can handle weather in the 20's.

Carol said...

Yes..the Internet has been a God send for friendships. It does make the world a little smaller.

jan said...

Hmmm I don't have any intense friendships except John and my sis. I have a lot of casual friendships. those work pretty well for me. I share more with you here and on e-mail than I share with about any one else.

Carol said...

Hope you don't get in the water with all those clothes. If it works..I might try it.

jan said...

The great thing about on line relationships is I can get on here and share what I want or need to share any time of the day or night. Even if you are not right there, I know you will be there soon and respond to me.

Carol said...

It's suppose to be in the 90s for the next five days. That will warm up that water.

jan said...

Only wear a bathing suit in the water. One thing about the water is that after a few minutes, and if you are moving around, the water feels ok at anything above 80.

jan said...

Yes, 90 should warm up your water really good. We are still in 80's now.

Carol said...

I've already been pretty productive today. I wrote a letter for my attorney..in response to another attorney. I went to Wally World. I set off flea bombs at the camp. I coated my deck and picnic table with preservative. And put another coat of rust resistant paint on my umbrella stand.

Sorry Coreen.. but time's running out. I also goofed off chatting with TW for a while.

jan said...

Well, I have had 2 cups of tea, walked a mile and picked up a paper. So There!

Carol said...

That walk sounds good Jan. I'd love to be doing it with ya.

Believe it or not..I probably couldn't do that walk. I can't limp walk that far. Fortunately..most of this doesn't require long walking.

Carol said...

Jan..I loved that women's friendship study article. Thanks for sharing. it.

Carol said...

Now..it's totally too hot to be outside. I'm inside..on the couch. In a week or so..even early mornings will be intolerable. I have to make hay while the temps down.

jan said...

You do get lots done in the morning Carol.

stopped at a couple of yard sales. Got some interesting books, one on birthd order and several on forensics. Don't know why but sounds interesting. The folks were giving these books away. Found some really cute baby dolls for granddaughter and great granddaughter. These were free - they were closing down the yard sale and were giving everything away. Founds some sunglasses for reading so now can read outside.

Stopped at a flea market and there were some handmade bags for traveling. You wear them across the chest - no stress on the shoulder. Altogether a good morning. Lots of fun, little money and reduced some stress.

jan said...

Getting ready to go to costco. We are looking for some glasses so we can watch the solar eclipse here tomorrow. It is a annular eclipse - had to look that up - it means partial eclipse. When the moon is over the sun, there will be a "ring of fire around the moon. Starts at about 6:30 tomorrow afternoon and ends about 7:30. Wish you girls could be here to watch it with us. It is a BIG one.

Carol said...

Jan..your yard sell shopping sounds like a hoot. Was it in you hood?

I love forensics. I watch a lot of that kind of stuff on TV. You know there's a lot of similarities to solving crimes and practicing medicine. You have to gather all the evidence..which includes interviews and examination of physical evidence. Same as what I do. Then you analyze all the evidence and make a diagnosis.

jan said...

Yes, the yard shopping was a hoot. It is just fun to see what people are getting rid of. You would enjoy it Carol. Yes, all in my hood. All within 2 miles - most 1 mile.

jan said...

I am fixing spaghetti and meatballs tonight. Meatballs are frozen from Costco. I will cook pasta and use prepared sauce and put some cheese on top. We will have some fresh, uncooked veggies with it (baby carrots, red pepper, celery & cukes). For dessert, some fresh watermelon from Costco. Very simple and easy to fix.

jan said...

Could not find any of those glasses. There are instructions in newspaper on how to fix a box to watch the eclipse. I remember when we first moved to Montana years ago, there was a solar eclipse and Steve made a box to do that - in school

Carol said...

Jan..I've never heard of sunglass reading glasses except prescription. Have you ever seen them in stores?

Your dinner sounds great. Lots of what I cook isn't any more work than what you're doing. I just made my salad and cooked some corn on the cob. I was a bad girl for lunch and had two corn dogs.

Carol said...

We're suppose to have an easier hurricane season this year but there is already a little storm off the coast of one of the Carolina's. It's not even officially hurricane season until June.

It's suppose to head up the east coast..most likely out to sea but good thing you have your generator working Coreen.

jan said...

Once in a while I have seen sunglass reading glasses.

These are great. We are going to the beach in NC in a couple of weeks so these are perfect.

Hope the hurricanes stay away from Wrightsville Beach just outside Wilmington NC from June 6-13. Pardon my selfishness on thisl

jan said...

I love corn dogs. I hear there are some veggie corn dogs. Would like to try them. We try to stay away from nitrites.

Carol said...

Is there any particular reason that you go to that beach Jan? Any relatives in that area? Been there before?

Carol said...

Oh goodie!

"The New England Journal of Medicine published outcomes from the the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, which found drinking coffee was associated with living longer in both men and women."

"NIH-AARP is one of the largest prospective (forward-looking) studies ever performed on nutrition and disease, following more than a half million people for a dozen years."

Does a Coffee a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

jan said...

We went to Wrightsville beach for several years when living in Ark. We love that beach. It is not crowded and just a great place to spend some time. We found a place right on the beach where all the rooms look out onto the ocean. They are 2 room condos. We went to Univ of NC, Chapel Hill in early 1990's for a 10 day research intensive. John went with me. We drove there. After the intensive, we wanted to go to a beach and spend some time, so we asked around and several people recommended Wrightsville Beach. We don't have any relatives there. We also like Wilmington NC.

jan said...

John has been reading about that research on coffee too. He is so happy!

jan said...

rented a movie about a woman who pretends to be a man - name of movie is "Albert Noyes."

Carol said...

Be sure and get some pics. I'd like a beach vacay.

I'm feeling like having a cup of coffee right now but I guess it is kinda late?? Well..I have gone to sleep in the morning after drinking the stuff..and I can make my own rules..for a few more days.

Carol said...

Maybe my coffee craving is because..also mentioned in that article...

"What about the caffeine though? Oh, you mean the substance that, as noted in the journal Nutrition:

1) increases energy availability, 2) increases daily energy expenditure, 3) decreases fatigue, 4) decreases the sense of effort associated with physical activity, 5) enhances physical performance, 6) enhances motor performance, 7) enhances cognitive performance, 8) increases alertness, wakefulness, and feelings of 'energy,' 9) decreases mental fatigue, 10) quickens reactions, 11) increases the accuracy of reactions, 12) increases the ability to concentrate and focus attention, 13) enhances short-term memory, 14) increases the ability to solve problems requiring reasoning, 15) increases the ability to make correct decisions, 16) enhances cognitive functioning capabilities and neuromuscular coordination, and 17) in otherwise healthy non-pregnant adults is safe.

Does it kinda make you want one?

Carol said...

I'm watching a movie also...The Oxford Murders. One I recorded on Showtime.

Carol said...

The author of the article..

"A founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Michael Greger, M.D., is a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues"

And.."Hundreds of his nutrition videos are freely available at NutritionFacts.org, with a new video posted daily."

Gotta check that place out.

http://nutritionfacts.org/

Carol said...

I've gone through several of the videos on that nutrition site and boy are they packed with some good stuff. Dang..I wish I had known about that site before.

Carol said...

There's even a video on stinky asparagus pee. It's cute. Not everyone gets stinky pee when they eat asparagus..I do..but some people don't even have the ability to smell their own stinky pee.

Asparagus Pee

Each video is short and packed with good stuff.

Carol said...

My Black and Decker reciprocating saw has been one of the most handy tools I've had..with all the work that I've been doing. I bought it back before I started this last job..over 7 years ago. It was after my pelvic fractures and I needed some limbs sawed down. I didn't then and don't now have the strength to saw thru the smallest branches. I paid around 80 bucks for it and it's still going strong. I give it 5 stars.

Carol said...

Having the right tools to do the job has been what has made all my work so much fun. It takes a little time to get them all out, move them to where I need them and then put them up but well worth that effort.

While out sawing up the branches I had the pool guy climb up to cut off that Mimosa tree, I was thinking that I could start a website on.."having the right tools to allow a women to be the man around the house/yard" I could ask companies to send me tools to test out. I could get some free tools. Hey..I love tools. I'm weird like that.

jan said...

when I knew you Carol, you liked doing what needed to be done.

jan said...

The movie was pretty strange. John slept through some of it. The setting was England in the 1800's I think. The main character was an orphan and had been raped by 5 young men. At 15 there was a job opening for a man and she apparently dressed like a boy and applied and got the job and so that is how it began. The story opened when the character is older though. It was not your typical hollywood plot.

Carol said...

Oh Jan..you give me too much credit. I only like doing what I want to do. I procrastinate the rest and I'm one of the best procrastinators. I do like your memory though.

jan said...

Woke early with an allergy attack. got up and made me a cup of tea and took an antihistamine, went back to sleep. I am up now and having 2nd cup of tea. I agree, caffeine is a great drug.

Carol said...

Caffeine does have it's negatives..if you have high blood pressure..cardiac arrhythmias..or are pregnant. I take drugs to keep my Bp and my heart rate under control and I need all the rest of what caffeine can do for me. I did have that coffee last night..and slept like a baby.

Carol said...

I put up a New Post but it won't keep you from putting up something if you have something you want to put up.

I might be trying to get a power tool gig. LOL or WTF whatever.